Privacy Policy
Effective date: May 8, 2026
This Privacy Policy applies to the iOS application "Kanji Lens" (the "App") provided by the developer (the "Service Provider"). By using the App, you agree to the terms of this policy.
1. Our Approach to Privacy
The App is designed with your privacy in mind. No account registration or login is required. The App's core features (on-device OCR processing of camera images, dictionary lookups, and word notebook storage) run entirely on your device. No personal information is sent to the Service Provider's servers. However, certain third-party SDKs collect data for advertising, analytics, and crash reporting purposes.
2. Information We Collect
Information Collected Directly by the Service Provider
The App's core features do not collect personal information. The following data is stored only on your device and is never transmitted externally.
| Data Type | Storage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Camera images / photos | Processing only (not stored) | Used for OCR text recognition, then immediately discarded. Never sent to any server. |
| Word notebook data (saved words) | On-device local storage | Managing kanji and vocabulary saved by the user |
| App settings (language, appearance, etc.) | On-device local preferences | Preserving user preferences |
| Purchase information (Pro unlock status) | On-device (managed via Apple StoreKit) | Determining whether Pro features are unlocked. Managed via Apple. |
Information Collected by Third-Party SDKs
The App uses the following third-party SDKs, which may collect data on their own. Data collection by these SDKs is enabled only after the user grants consent through the EEA consent form (UMP) and ATT prompt described below. Without consent, Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics remain disabled, and AdMob shows non-personalized ads only.
| SDK | Data Collected | Purpose | Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google AdMob (Google LLC) | Advertising Identifier (IDFA, only if ATT permitted), device info, IP address, ad interactions | Ad delivery and personalization (free tier only) | Yes (ATT permission required) |
| Google User Messaging Platform (Google LLC) | Consent status string (TCF), region info | GDPR consent management for EEA / UK users | No |
| Firebase Analytics (Google LLC) | Anonymous identifier (IDFV), event names, screen views, OS version, app version | App usage analysis and feature improvement | No (IDFA is not used) |
| Firebase Crashlytics (Google LLC) | Crash logs, device info, OS version, app version | Crash detection and fixes | No (debugging purposes only) |
3. Camera and Photo Access
The App requests access to your camera and photo library for kanji recognition. Images you capture or select are used solely for on-device OCR processing (text recognition) and are immediately discarded afterward. Image data is never sent to the Service Provider or any external service.
You can change camera and photo access permissions at any time in iOS Settings > Privacy & Security.
4. Advertising, Tracking, and Consent Management (ATT & UMP)
App Tracking Transparency (ATT)
The free tier of the App displays ads provided by Google AdMob. To show more relevant ads, the App may request your permission for tracking under the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework on iOS 14.5 and later.
- If you allow tracking: Personalized ads using your IDFA will be shown.
- If you decline: Non-personalized ads will be shown. All app features remain fully available.
- Changing your choice: Go to iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking.
EEA / UK Consent Form (UMP)
For users in the EEA and UK, the App displays a GDPR consent form via the Google User Messaging Platform (UMP) before the ATT prompt. The choices are:
- Consent: Personalized ads, analytics, and crash reporting are enabled.
- Decline: Only non-personalized ads are shown; analytics and crash reporting remain disabled.
- Changing your choice: You can re-open the consent form at any time from the "Privacy Settings" button in the App's settings screen.
Upgrading to the Pro version removes all ads from the App.
For details on how Google handles data, see the Google Privacy Policy.
5. How We Use Information and Legal Bases
Collected information is used for the following purposes:
- Providing the App's core features (OCR, dictionary search, word notebook)
- Delivering ads to free-tier users (via Google AdMob)
- GDPR consent management for EEA / UK users (via Google User Messaging Platform)
- Usage analysis to improve the App (via Firebase Analytics, only after consent)
- Detecting and fixing crashes to improve stability (via Firebase Crashlytics, only after consent)
Legal Bases for EEA / UK Users (GDPR Art. 6(1))
For users in the EEA and UK, each processing activity relies on the following legal bases:
- Provision of core features: Performance of a contract (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b))
- Personalized advertising (AdMob): Consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a))
- Usage analytics (Firebase Analytics) and crash reporting (Firebase Crashlytics): Consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a))
- Non-personalized advertising: Legitimate interest (GDPR Art. 6(1)(f)) — to monetize the free tier
- Consent management (UMP): Legal obligation (GDPR Art. 6(1)(c))
6. Sharing of Information
The Service Provider does not sell, rent, or share your personal information. However, the third-party SDKs listed above collect data for their respective purposes.
- Google LLC (AdMob, User Messaging Platform, Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics): Data collection for ad delivery, consent management, usage analysis, and crash reporting. Subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Firebase Privacy and Security.
Information may also be disclosed as required by law or to protect the safety of users.
7. International Data Transfers
The App may transfer data to the following service providers, which process data outside your country:
- Google LLC (USA): AdMob, User Messaging Platform, Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics — Google Privacy Policy
- Apple Inc. (USA): Pro version purchases via the App Store — Apple Privacy Policy
These providers maintain appropriate data protection measures (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses).
8. Data Storage, Retention, and Security
All core App data (word notebook, settings) is stored exclusively in your device's local storage. Since no user data is stored on the Service Provider's servers, there is no risk of server-side data breach.
Data Retention:
- Local data (word notebook, settings): Retained until you delete the App.
- Firebase Analytics: Up to 14 months (Google's standard retention period).
- Firebase Crashlytics: Crash reports retained for up to 90 days.
- Google AdMob: Subject to the Google Privacy Policy.
Security Measures: Local data is protected by the iOS app sandbox so that other apps cannot access it, and is encrypted at the OS level while the device is locked. All communication with third-party SDKs is encrypted via HTTPS.
If your device is lost or reset, locally stored word notebook data will be lost. Your Pro purchase is tied to your Apple ID and can be restored by signing in with the same Apple ID.
9. Deleting Your Data
Deleting (uninstalling) the App from your device will remove all local data, including your word notebook, settings, and other stored data. This action is irreversible. Your Pro purchase is tied to your Apple ID and can be restored after reinstalling the App.
For deletion of data collected by third-party SDKs (Google AdMob, Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics), please contact Google through the contact details in the Google Privacy Policy.
10. Information Processed Through Apple
Pro version purchases are processed through Apple Inc.'s App Store. The Service Provider does not obtain or retain payment information such as credit card details. For details on how Apple handles data, see the Apple Privacy Policy.
11. Children's Privacy
The App is not primarily directed at children under the age of 13. The App's core features do not collect personal information, but AdMob may collect data depending on ATT permission status. If a child uses the App, please ensure they do so under parental supervision and consent. If you are a parent or guardian and have concerns, please contact us.
12. Your Rights
Users in the EU/UK (GDPR), California (CCPA/CPRA), and other applicable jurisdictions have the following rights:
- Access and review of collected data
- Correction or deletion of data
- Objection to data processing
- Data portability (receiving data in a machine-readable format) — Core data is stored on your device and accessible directly via the iOS Files app or device backups.
- Withdrawal of consent (you can re-open the consent form at any time from "Privacy Settings" in the App's settings screen)
- Opt-out of tracking (iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking)
Additional Rights for California Residents (CCPA / CPRA)
California residents have the right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of their personal information. The App shares the Advertising Identifier (IDFA) with Google LLC via AdMob, which may qualify as a "sale" or "sharing" under CCPA / CPRA. To opt out, decline app tracking under iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. The Service Provider has not sold users' personal information for monetary consideration in the past 12 months.
To exercise these rights, please contact us at the address below.
13. Changes to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time as the App's features change or applicable laws are revised. Please check this page periodically for updates. The latest effective date is shown at the top of this page.
This Privacy Policy is effective as of May 8, 2026.
Contact
For questions or inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us via our contact form.